The play tells the story of a geisha who converts to Christianity at a small American mission in Nagasaki, Japan.
/ Royal Opera House 2017 photo.
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100 artists will present Madama Butterfly
next week
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
"Madama Butterfly," one of the most emblematic and successful operas of the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, will be presented five times starting July 26 at Melico Salazar Theater* in San José. The opera features love, hate and betrayal and is generally considered a tearjerker.
The Costa Rican soprano Gloriela Villalobos is in the main role of Cio Cio San. The National Lyric Company presents this production. The opera was last staged here 14 years ago. The production is under the musical direction of Costa Rican Ramiro A. Ramírez, and the scenic direction is by Argentinean Alejandro Chacón.
The leading soprano Villalobos will be accompanied on stage by the Mexican tenor José Luis Ordoñez in the role of B.F. Pinkerton and the Mexican baritone Tomás Castellanos as Sharpless.
The music will be presented by the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica plus 24 singers of the National Symphonic Choir for a total of 100 artists.
"It's a very big challenge because it's a very important role. It's a role where a soprano sings more time, and it's also my debut in a leading role with the National Lyric Company of my country," said Villalobos. "Without a doubt, this is the biggest opportunity I've had in my career."
The mezzo-soprano Marianela Mora has the role of Suzuki, the tenor Miguel Mejía is Goro and the baritone Fulvio Villalobos is Bonzo. The tenor Yeancarlo Zamora will be Yamadori, the soprano Yasira Guzmán is Kate Pinkerton, and the baritone Juan José Montero has the role of The Commissioner. All are Costa Ricans.
The opera premiered at the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Italy, Feb. 17, 1904. The libretto is by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, based on the short story "Madama Chrysanthème" by Pierre Loti and an earlier story by John Luther Long.
The play tells the story of a geisha who converts to Christianity at a small American mission in Nagasaki, Japan.
"Puccini develops this story in Nagasaki, where a geisha falls in love with a U.S. sailor, He sees her as another adventure in his journey around the world," said music director Ramírez. "The story develops basically between this woman's love for a new life and her change of religion for her husband, which means the rejection of her family and a dramatic end."
"Madama Butterfly" will be presented Friday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 28, at 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 4, at 5 p.m.
Tickets range from $12 to $44, depending on the location of the seat. They can be purchased at the theater ticket office.
More information is available by email comunicacion@teatromelico.go.cr or calling (506) 2255-3188.
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